John a



(No Model.)

J. A. CAMPBELL.

GAGE.

N0.-4Z7,253. Patented May 6, 1890.

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"UNITED STATES JOHN A. CAMPBELL, OF DORCHESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

GAGE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 427,253, dated May 6, 1890.

Application filed October 2, 1889. Serial No. 325,745. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN A. CAMPBELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dorchester, in the county of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gages, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in gages, and is designed more particularly for the use of carpenters, and is especially useful in the fitting of thresholds of door-frames; and it has for its object, among others, to provide a simple and efficient gage which can be readily folded into small compass, and in which the parts are adjustable to accommodate varying sizes of doors or other devices operated upon.

The novelty resides in the peculiarities of construction and the combinations, arrangement, and adaptation of parts, all as more fully hereinafter described, shown in the drawings, and then particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which with the letters of reference marked thereon, form a part of this specification, and in which- Figure l is a top plan, with parts in section, illustrating the application of my invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of my improved gage distended. Fig. 3 is a view of the same folded.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views.

In the ordinary method of fitting thresholds to their place considerable difficulty is experienced in getting a perfect fit, owing to the numerous and varying angles to be fitted. The application of my improved gage for this sort of work removes the difficulties and insures an accurate fit with but a minimum of labor.

My improved gage consists of the two strips A and A, of suitable material and dimension, and united by means of a hinge A the leaves of which are set into the adjacent edges of the pieces A and A so as to be flush therewith, as shown in Fig. 2, to allow the two parts to fold over and lie close against each other, and also to allow of the device lying fiat upon the threshold or the floor in taking the measurements for the threshold. Each of the strips A and A is provided with a horizontal longitudinal groove or kerf extending for the greater part of the length of the strip, being open at the outer ends, as illustrated.

In order to draw the two portions of each strip together, so as to bind tightly therebetween the gages which are placed in the kerfs, I provide clamping means at the outer ends of the strips, and, although I do not wish to be restricted thereto, I have shown in the drawings thumb-screws B for this purpose. These screws pass through one portion of the strip and engage a screw-threaded aperture in the other portion, washers B being preferably provided to prevent wear on the strips. It will be readily observed that the kerfing of the strips renders the two portions thereof formed by the kerf or slot slightly elastic, so that they will approach or recede from each other, according as the thumb-screws are tightened or loosened.

O are the gages, arranged transversely of the length of the strips in the slots thereof and of varying length. In the drawings I have shown three of these gages in each strip; but the number may be varied to suit the character of Work for which the device is employed. These gages are free to move in any and all directions in a single plane in their slots, and are provided at their ends with portions 0, bent at right angles to the plane of the gage and extending in opposite directions from diagonally-opposite corners thereof, as shown best in Fig. 2. These serve a double function: first, to prevent endwise displacement of the gages, and, second, to hold the gages in their closed position, the rightangled portions being adapted to fit into notches 0 upon opposite sides of the slots,

the gages when not in use being folded lengthwise of the strips, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 3.

In practice the device is applied as indicated in Fig. 1, being laid flat, with the thumb screws upon the upper side, as illustrated, and loosened, so as to allow of ready adjustment of all the gages. The gages are then adjusted to obtain the desired angles and bevels, as seen in Fig. 1, the shoulders formed by the right-angled portions at the ends of the gages serving as stops. When the proper measure ment and angles have been obtained, the thumb-screws are tightened to hold the gages in their adjusted position, and the device then removed, and by placing it upon the threshold the latter may be marked out according to the measurements indicated by the gages, and when cut out according to the measurements and angles the threshold will be found to be an accurate fit.

WVhen not in use, the strips A and A are folded upon each other, the thumb-screws are loosened, the gages turned substantially parallel with the strips, and'the thumb-screws then tightened to hold them in such position, the right-angled portions fitting in the notches thereof to prevent injury thereto.

The device is simple, inexpensive, most efficient in use, and the varieties of adjustment of the parts render it applicable to almost any-sized structure.

It is evident that in lieu of forming the main portion A and A of two parts hinged together the same might be one integral bar, although I prefer the two parts hinged as shown for convenience in storage and transportation.

' WVhat I claim as new is 1. The combination, with the supportingstrip, of the gages passed through a slot in said strip and free to move in all directions therein in one plane, and a single clamping means for holding a plurality of the gages in their adjusted positions, substantially as specified.

2. The con1bination,with the hinged slotted strip formed with a notch 0 of a gage in the slot of the strip and having right-angled portions at its ends, substantially as specified.

3; The combination, with the slotted strip, of a gage in the slot of the strip and having at its ends right-angled portions extending in opposite directions, substantially as specified.

4. The combination, with the slotted strip, of a gage in the slot of the strip and having at its ends right-angled portions extending in opposite directions from diagonally-opposite corners, substantially as specified.

5. The combination, with the slotted strip formed of notches upon opposite sides of the slot, of a gage contained in said slot and formed at its ends with right-angled portions, substantially as described.

6. The combination, with the slotted strip formed with notches upon opposite sides and on opposite sides of the slot, of the gage adjustable in the slot and formed at its ends with right-angled portions extending in opposite directions from diagonally-opposite corners, substantially as specified.

7. The combination, with the slotted strips A and A, hinged together, of the gages loosely confined in the slots of said strips, and the thumb-screws at the outer ends of the strips, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN A. CAMPBELL. Witnesses:

O. M. SHAW, K. DURFEE. 

